Pride adding a twist to Cup tradition

[Wandering Eyes]

A change to the spring programming has led Joe Pride to put a fresh spin on an old school formula for his Melbourne Cup hopeful Stockman (NZ) (Tavistock).

The Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) was traditionally used by the likes of legendary trainer and 12-time Melbourne Cup winner Bart Cummings to finalise the preparations of his runners three days out from the main event.

With the race no longer staged on Victoria Derby day, Pride has opted for the Rosehill Gold Cup (2000m) as an alternative platform ahead of Stockman’s Cup bid.

It will mean the six-year-old races in Sydney on Saturday before hitting the road to Melbourne a day later, but Pride doesn’t expect his experienced campaigner to turn a hair.

“If the Mackinnon was on Saturday in Melbourne, I’d be running him in the Mackinnon,” Pride said.

“But it’s no big deal. I don’t see it as any inconvenience to a horse like him.

“A seasoned tough horse, it won’t worry him at all.”

A strong last-start winner of the St Leger Stakes (2600m), Stockman will have to contend with topweight of 59.5kg, a wide draw in barrier 13, a 600 metre drop in journey and a drying Rosehill track.

Considering the conditions of the race “conspire against him a bit”, Pride will be happy to see the horse doing his best work late under Sam Clipperton, who has been secured for the Melbourne Cup ride.

Stockman is set to be Pride’s first runner in Australia’s most famous race on Tuesday, but the Warwick Farm horseman wants to get through this weekend before turning his mind to that achievement.

“It is one day at a time at the moment,” he said.

“I’ve got three in the Nature Strip (Stakes) and I’m putting my focus and energy into that and then I’ll turn it to the Melbourne Cup.

“I am excited, but I’m not overthinking it at this point.”

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